What term describes illness caused by toxins released by bacteria in food?

The term that describes illness caused by toxins released by bacteria in food is "intoxication." This occurs when a person consumes food that contains preformed toxins produced by bacteria, rather than the bacteria themselves. Foodborne intoxication can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes more severe reactions, depending on the type of toxin and the individual's health.

This concept is important to understand because it distinguishes between two types of foodborne illnesses: infections and intoxications. In an infection, the illness is caused by the bacteria themselves invading the tissues of the body and multiplying, whereas in intoxication, the illness is primarily due to the effects of toxins that the bacteria have released into the food.

The other terms do not accurately describe this specific situation. "Borne infection" generally refers to infections caused by pathogens in food or water but focuses on the living organisms rather than the toxins they produce. "Surveillance" relates to monitoring public health trends and food safety but does not pertain to illness directly. "Contamination" refers to the presence of harmful substances or pathogens in food, which can lead to either infection or intoxication but does not specifically focus on the toxins released by bacteria. Therefore, "intoxication" is the most